In her new documentary, Child Star, Demi Lovato opens up about their experiences as a young performer, including reflecting on their behavior during the filming of Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. Lovato, known for hits like “Heart Attack,” sat down with their former Camp Rock costar Alyson Stoner to discuss the shifts in their relationship and on-set dynamics between the first and second Camp Rock movies, released by Disney Channel in 2008 and 2010.
During their conversation in Child Star, both Lovato and Stoner recalled the earlier days of Camp Rock. “I felt like more of an equal when I did Camp Rock, because the first one we were all at the Grand [hotel],” Lovato shared, reminiscing about the initial film. Stoner added to the shared memories, “Okay, the memories are flooding! I do know we had a lot of cast dinners at the restaurant,” painting a picture of camaraderie from the first movie.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Demi-Lovato-Alyson-Stoner-091324-ae06811678ea4031ae41f9fbedbfe116.jpg)
However, the atmosphere shifted significantly by the time Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam came around. Lovato’s career had experienced a major surge in the interim, with a successful music career launch and a starring role in the Disney series Sonny with a Chance. “Then my career exploded, and all of a sudden I was staying at the Four Seasons,” Lovato explained. This change in status created a noticeable power dynamic on the set of Camp Rock 2. “There was definitely a power dynamic and a shift in that, when the second movie came, it felt really validating because I had been leveled up, but I was trading connection for success.”
Stoner echoed this sentiment, recalling a distinct distance from Lovato during the production of The Final Jam. “I remember that it felt so hard to access you in that way,” Stoner revealed. “Like we had lost that thread of trust, we had lost that closeness. It didn’t seem maybe like you wanted to be reached either at that point. So the last few years of working together felt really challenging.” This candid reflection highlights the impact of fame and changing circumstances on personal relationships, especially within the context of the Camp Rock 2 filming experience.
The conversation took an emotional turn as both Stoner and Lovato became tearful discussing this period. Stoner described the shift in on-set treatment, saying, “The treatment did feel drastically different.” Preparing to address the sensitive topic of Lovato’s behavior, Stoner continued, “My heart is racing. I do remember a sense of walking on eggshells [around you], and so there was definitely a lot of fear of a blow-up.” This honest admission underscores the tense atmosphere that developed during the filming of Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam.
Lovato acknowledged this difficult period, recognizing the intensity of their career at the time, but importantly, taking responsibility for their actions. “I know that we both were going through our own stuff, but it still didn’t give me an excuse to treat anyone poorly, and so I just want to genuinely, deeply apologize for any stress or any walking on eggshells, any hurt feelings,” Lovato stated. “I’m genuinely so sorry for that. And I look back at that time, and I have profound sadness, ’cause I’m like, ‘How many people did I treat poorly?'” This heartfelt apology in the documentary provides a moment of reconciliation and reflection on the challenges of navigating fame as a young actor in Camp Rock 2.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Demi-Lovato-Alyson-Stoner-Camp-Rock-2-091324-d1effb3dedc44d11b05d47f51eb2be9c.jpg)
Lovato also admitted to having a somewhat hazy memory of the Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam era, which preceded their entry into rehab in 2010. “Camp Rock, I remember a lot more than I do Camp Rock 2,” Lovato confessed. Stoner resonated with this, acknowledging a shared experience of memory gaps from their early stardom. “There were like entire projects that was like ‘Oh, that film.'” Lovato then suggested, “Disassociation. It’s like a common thread between all of us,” to which Stoner agreed, “All of us.” This shared experience of dissociation further highlights the intense pressures faced by child stars and the lasting impact of those formative years, particularly during projects like Camp Rock 2.
Stoner, who has also appeared in films like Cheaper by the Dozen and Step Up, connected this dissociation to the demanding nature of child acting. “I know I started dancing around 3 years old, and I just went straight to treating it like work,” Stoner explained. “I think I was dissociated kind of throughout the whole journey. On the outside, you look like everything’s okay. And then years later, you can’t remember a thing.” Child Star, co-directed by Lovato, is currently available for streaming on Hulu, offering a deeper look into these complex issues of childhood fame and reflection on projects like Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam.
